Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Footing or foundation type – For a wall
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-31
2001-01-23
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Footing or foundation type
For a wall
C052S023000, C052S715000, C052SDIG001, C248S499000, C248S503000, C248S680000, C403S353000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176056
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a frame connector for use in a manufactured home stabilizing foundation system using tie-down straps. More particularly, the invention relates to a frame connector which does not create harmful stress concentrations within the tie-down straps when the straps are arranged in non-perpendicular orientations with respect to the manufactured home.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Manufactured homes, such as mobile homes, trailers, prefabricated homes, and the like are manufactured at a central manufacturing site and, upon completion, are moved to a location where they are to be occupied. Because these homes are designed to be easily moved from one site to another, they are not built on permanent foundations but, rather, typically are placed on piers such as concrete blocks, pilings, or stabilizing jacks. Normally, the piers directly support the frame of the manufactured home which typically comprises two or more support beams, such as steel I-beams, to which the home is fixedly secured.
If the manufactured home is not anchored securely in position on its piers, the home can be shifted by strong winds or earth tremors which can cause the home to be forced from its foundation. Due to this risk, various types of stabilizing systems have been used to stabilize the manufactured homes on their piers to keep the homes from shifting in response to wind and/or seismic forces. In one particularly effective system, a plurality of tie-down straps are used to tether the manufactured home to the ground. In these systems, the tie-down straps typically extend perpendicularly outwardly from incremental positions along the length of the manufactured home. Usually, the tie-down straps extend downwardly from the support beams of the manufactured home frame to ground anchors that are deeply embedded into the soil. Often, the tie-down straps are securely connected to the beams with frame connectors that latch onto the support beams. Normally, these frame connectors comprise a metal clamp assembly that includes a hook which securely grips an upper flange of the support beam. The tie-down straps usually are threaded through a strap slot formed in the clamp assembly. These strap slots normally are configured so as to be parallel to the hook and the longitudinal direction of the manufactured home, such that the tie-down straps can be positioned substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the manufactured home.
Although functioning adequately under most circumstances, conventional frame connectors present several drawbacks. Most importantly, these frame connectors do not account for longitudinal shifting of the manufactured home due to wind or seismic forces. When a manufactured home shifts under the influence of such forces, the longitudinal position of the frame connectors, and their strap slots, likewise shift in the longitudinal direction. Because the ground attachment points of the tie-down straps are fixed by the anchors, the tie-down straps cannot similarly shift longitudinally, causing the tie-down straps to become arranged in diagonal orientations with respect to the manufactured home. In that the strap slots of the frame connector cannot reorient themselves to accommodate for the diagonal orientations of the straps, torsional stresses are concentrated on the straps at the point where the straps connect to the frame connectors.
Such stress concentrations can similarly occur in situations in which the tie-down straps are improperly installed in a non-perpendicular orientation relative to the manufactured home. Also, there are instances when obstructions prevent the tie down strap from being oriented at a right angle with respect to the length of the support beam. If large enough, these stresses can cause failure of one or more of the tie-down straps, placing the home in jeopardy of being forced from its foundation. Even if not causing strap failure, these torsional stresses can remove the stabilizing foundation system from compliance with the standards stipulated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
From the above, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a frame connector which does not create harmful stress concentrations on the tie-down strap when the strap is orientated in a non-perpendicular orientation with respect to the home.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the present invention relates to a tie-down strap frame connector in combination with a stabilizing foundation system for a manufactured home. The manufactured home is supported on a frame including at least one I-shaped beam that supports the home. The tie-down strap frame connector comprises a clamp assembly that includes a base plate which rests on a pier and receives the lower flange of the I-shaped support beam of the manufactured home. At least one wedge plate is connected at one of its edges to the edge of the base plate and slopes over the lower flange of the I-shaped support beam and its other edge wedges against the central web of the I-shaped support beam. A swivel plate is pivotally connected to the base plate. The pivotal connection is formed by a connector bolt that extends through aligned openings of all of the base plate, swivel plate and wedge plate.
The swivel plate also includes a strap slot that is formed adjacent its distal end which is adapted to receive one end of a tie-down strap of the stabilizing foundation system. The swivel plate is angled intermediate its end so that its end which defines the connector opening can be placed in flat abutment with the base plate, and its distal end which includes the strap slot is oriented so as to be sloped downwardly toward a ground anchor that is to connect to the other end of the strap. When connected in this manner, the swivel plate can pivot about the base plate so that the strap slot can be arranged in non-perpendicular orientations with respect to the length of the I-shaped support beam that supports the home. With this arrangement, less torsional stress forces will be experienced by the tie-down strap.
The objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included therein with the scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5273382 (1993-12-01), Yearick
patent: 5927895 (1999-07-01), Watanabe
Horton Yvonne M.
Kent Christopher T.
Thomas Kayden Horstemeyer & Risley
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